UAE Says Syria Not Facilitating Job of Arab Monitors

The UAE's foreign minister accused the Syrian regime on Tuesday of not facilitating the job of Arab League observers, lamenting the latest reported attacks on the envoys.

"The job of the observers is getting more difficult day after day ... We do not see a commitment from the Syrian side that would allow them" do their job, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan told reporters in Abu Dhabi.

"Sadly, there were attacks on observers, clearly not from the opposition side. This is not a positive indicator," he added.

Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi on Tuesday denounced the attacks on observers, in which some monitors were wounded, and said he was holding the government in Damascus responsible for their mission.

"The Arab League denounces the irresponsible action and acts of violence against the League's observers," Arabi said in a statement issued by his office.

"It considers the Syrian government totally responsible for the protection of the members of the observer mission."

According to Arabi "some members of the mission were victim of violent attacks carried out by pro-regime elements in Latakia and Deir al-Zour, and from elements considered to be members of the opposition in other areas."

"Some of the members of the observers' mission were wounded," the statement said.